I read a news story this week about a man that went to great lengths for just even the chance of finding love.  This man from Arizona sold his house and belongings so he could travel to Ukraine to meet and settle with a woman he had met online.  Unfortunately it turned out to be a scam as the woman never showed.  He eventually ran out of money and became homeless on the streets of this foreign country.  He has secured a loan through the US Embassy in order to return home to Phoenix, but says he would like to return to Ukraine one day to find a “special lady to start a life together”.  When I read that story I was struck at some of the unusual things and the extent that some people will go to, in order to find love.  On one hand I think, “Wow, that guy’s a nut job.  What  a crazy and irrational thing to do.”  But on the other hand, honestly, I kind of admire him.  I admire the courage it took for him risk everything and even when it blew up in his face, he is still holding on to the hope of his dream.  Come on, you gotta love that!  Every single person on the face of this earth wants to love and be loved by that one special person.  Of course as a Christian, I know and believe that the ultimate unconditional love can only be found in Christ.  But also from a human relational point of view, and as someone who is looking for love herself, I can relate to and identify with this man.  I have heard phrases like “big risk, big reward” and “go big or go home” and it makes me wonder how much am I willing to risk in this area?  Am I willing to be that vulnerable?  Am I willing to do something outrageous and maybe even a little irrational?  Am I willing to sell it all and travel to an unknown land, maybe not literally but figuratively, to follow and fulfill a dream?  I really don’t have the answers to these questions right now, but I do know that taking risks, pushing beyond that level of comfort, builds confidence, character and feels stinkin’ awesome!  I don’t think I have ever heard of someone taking a risk that they regretted.  Even when the risk does not result in the desired outcome, there is always value in, and a lesson learned by taking the risk.  So here’s to taking risks this week.  That may look differently for each person, but let’s step outside the proverbial box and dare to do something right outside that comfort zone.  I bet we will surprise ourselves how strong and courageous we really are!